The Vampire Diaries franchise has been built from the ground up revolving around Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder’s on-screen and off-screen relationship. Dobrev and Somerhalder’s on-again and off-again relationship seems to feature as many break-ups and hook-ups as the star’s characters Elena Gilbert and Damon Salvatore, on The Vampire Diaries.

‘Delena’ fans rejoiced this week when Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev took the stage to accept the award for “Favorite On-Screen Chemistry” at the 2014 People’s Choice Awards. Rumors ran rampant that Dobrev and Somerhalder had reconciled when they kissed on stage after receiving the award. The day following the People’s Choice Awards was Dobrev’s birthday, and photos were released showing Ian and Nina cuddled up close at a very private and low-key birthday party.

Between the kiss at The People’s Choice Awards and the birthday party photos, Vampire Diaries fans were absolutely positive Ian and Nina were getting back together. I mean, what exes kiss on national television and spend their birthdays together, if they aren’t considering getting back together? Then Nina decided to go public and shatter all of our hopes and dreams, in an exclusive interview with E! News the star confirmed that she has “love and respect” for Ian, but they have not gotten back together.

The Vampire Diaries Season 5B Premiere is scheduled to air on The CW on Thursday, January 23rd. The cast and writers are starting to make their rounds with all of the major media outlets, dishing on the upcoming premiere and promoting the 100th episode. It is beginning to look like Nina and Ian’s display at the People’s Choice Awards, and the leaked birthday photos, was nothing more than a publicity stunt to generate some buzz before the January 23rd Vampire Diaries premiere. And, being the hopeless romantics we are, we fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Shame on them!

Do you think Ian and Nina’s kiss at the PCA’s was just a publicity stunt? Sound off in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: Look at Nina closely – doesn’t she look like she wants to puke when Ian kisses her?